As far back as the dawn of time, wood beams were the go-to choice for building support because of their ability to withstand the weight and stress of the structures they supported while also taking into account external influences like high winds and storms.
Despite the fact that reclaimed wood beams aren’t the most common choice for new construction, they have become a fashionable alternative for biophilic designs, turning ancient load-bearing beams into interior highlights. For new customers, there are two possibilities when it comes to purchasing reclaimed lumber beams as accents: rough sawn and hand hewn beams. Which one would you prefer?
Don’t be concerned. These are the two terms we’re going to dissect for you here.
What Is A Hand Hewn Beam?
Sawmills didn’t come into popular use until after people had been chopping trees with axes and other instruments for centuries. This skillful and effort-demanding process always leaves unmistakable axe marks on the wood beams, which makes the timbers very authentic and rich in character. This only happens with timbers hewn by tools like adzes or broad axes and not by saws or machines.
Hand hewn beams are exactly what they sound like—beams that have been hand-hewed from a larger piece of lumber. This process is time consuming, but it results in a more rustic look that can add character to any home. In addition, hand hewn beams are more structurally sound than their machine-cut counterparts, making them a popular choice for builders and homeowners alike.
As you might expect, softwoods like pine and cedar are the most common materials used to make hand hewn beams. However, you can sometimes find hardwood hand hewn beams. The true guys of the past made those. Even though sawmills can do the job of hand axes far faster and only a few craftsmen still hand hewn lumber, hand hewn beams are one of today’s most popular alternatives in the reclaimed wood industry, notably because of the distinctive axe marks.
What Is A Hewing Axe?
A hewing axe is a hand tool that is used to shape hand hewn wood. It is also known as a hand axe, or hand adze. The tool consists of a metal blade with a sharpened edge, attached to a wooden handle.
The axe is used to chop, notch, and score reclaimed hand hewn timbers. It can also be used to create decorative shapes in the wood. Hewing axes are often used by carpenters, joiners, and other craftsmen who work with hand hewn wood.
Rough Sawn Beams
Rough sawn beams were most often made from American hardwoods that were used in the construction of old factories and warehouses. A key difference between rough sawn and hand hewn beams is the tools used to turn logs into square-sided lumber. In fact, axes are replaced with circular saws for rough sawn manufacturing, which may be done by hand or by machine. So, here’s how you find those sought-after saw markings that give rough its unique look!
Choosing the right rough sawn lumber might be a challenge for many people. That’s why it’s important to know what to do before making your purchase.
For exposed ceilings and other accent designs, rough sawn beams are a great choice because of their easy production process. Exotic hardwoods are more common in rough sawn timbers, which is another reason why many people like them.
Hand hewn beams and rough sawn timbers are quite different in some aspects.
However, they have multiple similarities! They both look amazing as mantels. They both work well as exposed ceiling beams.
They both can be resawn and the skins used for faux beams. And they both will get onlookers talking and dreaming. When wondering about which type of reclaimed lumber beams you want to install, the simplest denominator is deciding between a patina with axe marks or saw marks. Reclaimed wood beams not only highlight the biophilic design feature that comes from natural reclaimed lumber, but they make it possible for us to turn forgotten pieces of wood into completely unique masterpieces.
We have a wide selection of customized wooden beams to choose from. Additionally, we provide a variety of recycled wood products. Feel free to contact us for any concerns or further information!
